Arne RSPB reserve is a
nature reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
and
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
maintained by the
RSPB and located in
Dorset
Dorset ( ; archaically: Dorsetshire , ) is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The ceremonial county comprises the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset. Covering an area of ...
. It was
notified as an SSSI in 1986
and the estuarine reedbeds within the site are designated as a
national nature reserve. The reserve occupies the Arne Peninsula, which protrudes into
Poole Harbour. Adjacent to the site is the village of
Arne, although the nearest major settlement is the town of
Wareham.
The reserve opened in 1966 and is chiefly
lowland heath, noted for the rare heather known as Dorset heath (''
Erica ciliaris
''Erica ciliaris'' is a species of heather, known in the British Isles as Dorset heath. It grows to , and has leaves long, with long, glandular hairs. The flowers are long, bright pink, and arranged in long racemes.
Distribution
''Erica cil ...
''), and for its breeding
Dartford warblers. It also has acid grassland, salt marsh and woodland, with reedbeds adjoining the mudflats of the harbour.
Other important species include
nightjar,
woodlark and, on the mudflats,
spoonbill.
Over 500 species of
vascular plant
Vascular plants (), also called tracheophytes () or collectively Tracheophyta (), form a large group of land plants ( accepted known species) that have lignified tissues (the xylem) for conducting water and minerals throughout the plant. They ...
have been recorded on the reserve since 1966.
The reserve has a substantial herd of
sika deer. Originating in East Asia, these animals escaped from deer parks during the 1860s and have now become naturalised, living on the heath and oak woodland of the site.
Arne is renowned for its natural environment, and has been featured on the
BBC's
Countryfile and
Winterwatch
''Springwatch'', ''Autumnwatch'' and ''Winterwatch'', sometimes known collectively as ''The Watches'', are annual BBC television series which chart the fortunes of British wildlife during the changing of the seasons in the United Kingdom. The p ...
programmes.
at www.bournemouthecho.co.uk. Retrieved 10 Feb 2017.
References
*RSPB Interpretation boards - viewed 29 April 2007
External links
*
RSPB pages about Arne
*{{gbmapping, SY972877
Isle of Purbeck
Arne
Arne
Protected areas established in 1966
National nature reserves in England
Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Dorset
Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1986
Heathland Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Poole Harbour